A much-beloved game around the world, ping pong requires skill and concentration to master. Whether you play competitively or recreationally, it’s an excellent way to exercise and improve your mental and physical health. It’s also fun to play with friends, and it’s been shown to reduce stress.
In April 1971, a group of nine U.S. table tennis players went to China on a “friendship” tour to compete in exhibition matches. It was a bold act of public diplomacy and, as Time magazine put it, “the ping heard round the world.” The visit was an apt metaphor for improved U.S.-China relations, which were largely cold and strained during the Eisenhower years.
During a game of ping pong, the ball must bounce on your side and over the net before landing on your opponent’s side to score a point. If the ball touches your non-paddle hand or arm during a rally, you lose a point.
Over the last 100 years, equipment has become standardized. In the early 1900s, celluloid balls were introduced to the budding sport and became a standard piece of equipment. The unique sound that they made when hitting the paddle led to a variety of nicknames: whiff-whaff, pom-pom, clip-clap and, eventually, ping pong. In 1988, ping pong became an official Olympic sport. Today, ping pong has evolved from a garage-style casual sport to a more competitive, Olympic sport with yearly World Championships and a growing global audience.